Comprehensive Hemodynamic Assessment of 368 Normal St. Jude Medical Mechanical Mitral Valve Prostheses Based on Early Postimplantation Echocardiographic Studies

This study establishes parameters (mean ± 2 SDs) defining the distribution of values for Doppler-derived hemodynamic data with normal St. Jude Medical mechanical mitral valve prostheses. Prostheses with hemodynamic values outside these parameters are likely dysfunctional; however, prosthesis dysfunction may be present even when hemodynamic values are within these ranges.